The Old Crone (老婆 Rōba?, lit. "Old Woman") is a non-playable character in Vampire Killer. She is a mysterious merchant woman who lives in Dracula's castle and can usually be found hidden behind breakable walls. The Bats in the castle are loyal to her.
Description[]
Several Old Crones can be found in the same stage, each having their own stock of items or providing specific services. Each merchant will behave differently after being whipped a certain amount of times. After being struck, they may offer Simon Belmont something to sell or increase/decrease his current amount of Hearts. Their prices will decrease if the player has acquired a White Bible and increase if they have a Black Bible.
They will disappear after being struck eight times or if Simon uses the Gold Cross when one is on the screen.
Types[]
There are four types of Old Crones, each identified by the color of her robe:
- White: Does not provide any services.
- Red: Trades items.
- Brown: Gives or takes away five Hearts, depending on the color of Bible Simon is currently holding.
- Blue: Raises or lowers the current stage's difficulty by one level.[1]
The type and services an Old Crone provides can be restored if the player moves to another screen and then returns. However, if the player only moves away from an Old Crone without changing screens, her robe will turn to white and she won't provide further services.
Wares[]
List of all possible items sold by Old Crones and the price changes when holding either the White or Black Bible.
| Item | Normal Price | w/White Bible | w/Black Bible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candle | 20 | 15 | 60 |
| Battle Star | 20 | 10 | 80 |
| Broadsword | 50 | 30 | 90 |
| Holy Water | 30 | 10 | 50 |
| Hourglass | 40 | 20 | 80 |
| Potion | 40 | 15 | 80 |
| Shield (A) | 20 | 10 | 60 |
| Shield (B) | 20 | 10 | 80 |
| Wand | 30 | 20 | 60 |
Enemy Data[]
| Enemy Data: The Old Crone | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Name - Game Description |
Statistics | Items | Location | Notes |
|
|||||
| Japanese Description: (*) A mysterious old crone who has lived in Demon Castle for a long time. She possesses various weapons and tools and provides them to young Simon. |
Exp: 5,000 |
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Trivia[]
- The Old Crone is the first merchant to appear in any Castlevania game.
- Similar Old Women appear hidden in towns in Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, who may give advice.
- A similar character called the Pied Piper appears halfway through the Underground Aqueduct in Castlevania Chronicles, who offers a variety of items which appear rotating above him. Like the Old Crone, hitting the Pied Piper will make him change his stock. Likewise, both characters will disappear when they have been struck exactly eight times.